Kane heading back to right wing

Hawks' experiment of moving him to center over for now

December 01, 2011|By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter

Patrick Kane raced down the right side of the ice and took a pass from Jonathan Toews before cutting to the net and putting a shot on goal.

It was just like old times during Blackhawks practice Thursday as Kane skated at right wing after playing center since training camp. For now, at least, the experiment to move the 23-year-old from wing to the middle has ended after 24 games.

"Center worked for a little bit," Kane said after practice. "It's still an option. Sometimes you just have to keep things exciting and switch it up. I have to get used to it a bit but it shouldn't take long."

Kane had seven goals and 17 assists while playing the middle this season, but like many of his teammates has tailed off offensively recently with just three assists in the last six games.

"I got pretty comfortable at the position," Kane said. "I'll still try to do some things I did at center where you're trying to get the puck a lot down low (and) moving up ice."

The worry when coach Joel Quenneville initially shifted Kane was that the offensive-minded playmaker would struggle with the defensive tasks of the position. But Kane proved he could handle them, sporting a plus-9 rating.

"(It's) being focused every second you're on the ice, no matter if you're in the offensive or defensive zone," Kane said of the adjustment. "Faceoffs were something I probably would like to improve. Being down low in your own end, I was pretty good at it. I tracked the puck well."

Quenneville said the move worked.

"Kane at center has been a good option for us. We like two of (Patrick) Sharp, Kane, (Marian) Hossa and Toews playing together.

Rookie Marcus Kruger now will center for the second line.

"Marcus gives us an option based on his performance. We'll see how he handles (centering for) top guys (Hossa and Sharp). It's more of an experiment that way as well.

"Knowing you always have Kane in the middle in your back pocket is nice. The flexibility you have can change in the middle of games or periods when you don't like the way things are going."

Being reunited with Toews could provide the spark the offense needs as it has generated only 13 goals in the last six games — six of them coming in a Nov. 25 victory over the Ducks.

"We'll just go back to our old ways and make plays," said Toews, who will have Viktor Stalberg on his left side when the Hawks face the Islanders on Friday night at the United Center. "The good thing about playing with Kane is sometimes you can … get away from all the attention on the ice, sneak back door and hide. He can hold onto the puck, get his head up and back your opponents off and buy some time."

Kruger has developed into an everyday player since being recalled after being the final cut during training camp.

"I'm just going to play my game," he said. "Those guys are good with the puck but I still need to hold onto it to make plays myself."